Free Wednesday's Child by Clare Revell Page A

if I ever suggest anything that stupid again, will you please…?” He broke off.
    “Would I please what?” The normal completion of the phrase would be ‘shoot me’, but under the circumstances, that wasn’t remotely funny.
    “Drown me with a bucket of water,” Liam finished finally. “I never want to go on one of those again.”
    “That makes two of us,” Jacqui assured him. “So now what?”
    Liam winked. “Something safer and less nauseating,” he said. “Like candy floss.”
    “I thought you felt sick.”
    “Not that sick.”
    Jacqui bought cotton candy and let Liam drag her over to the hook-a-duck. “Oh wow, not seen one of these in years, Liam.”
    “I haven’t done this since I last came here with Niamh. I’m out of practice. Hence my desire to do catch a duck. I may be some time.”
    “You’ll be better than me, at any rate.” She stood next to him as he handed over his money and took the rod.
    He spent a small fortune before he finally hooked one of the winning ducks.
    “Which prize do you want, mate?”
    “Ask the lady.”
    “Liam…”
    “Don’t argue.” He winked. “Choose.”
    Jacqui looked at the vast array of stuffed animals and finally pointed to the huge monkey dressed in a striped red and white tee shirt and blue trousers. The stall holder took it down and presented it to her.
    “Oh, he’s gorgeous, Liam. Thank you.” She hugged him. “I shall call him Jacko. He’s like the one I had when I was a kid.”
    He smiled and kissed her cheek, his lips sending shards of flame shooting through her. “You’re welcome.” He slid his hand into hers again. “Want to go down the helter-skelter?”
    Jacqui tilted her head back to take in the huge tower with the slide around the outside of it. It had to be the tallest she had seen. “I haven’t done that since I was ten, either.”
    “Then it’s about time you did. I’m beginning to think you haven’t lived.” He dragged her and the monkey over to the slide and chased her up the dark stairs which wound up the inside of it.
    Jacqui sat at the top on the course canvas mat and shoved the monkey in front of her. “After you, Jacko.”
    Liam snuggled up close behind her, his long legs appearing either side of hers.
    She twisted her neck to look at him. “What are you doing?”
    His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her back against him. “Having fun.”
    His breath was warm against her ear, and she shivered as goose bumps appeared on her neck. “You’re mad.”
    Liam pushed off, laughing as they flew down the slide. They landed in a tangled heap at the bottom.
    The attendant shook his head at them. “Yer lucky yer didn’t get stuck, mate.”
    Laughing, the two of them ran off. Jacqui hadn’t had this much fun in ages. She didn’t know much about Liam, but she was comfortable with him. Maybe he was the one. But he wasn’t a Christian. Did God have some kind of plan for him? If He did, was she wrong to hope that plan included her somewhere? If her part was simply to lead Liam back to his relationship with God, that would be enough, wouldn’t it?
    Liam took her on every ride at least once, until breathless, they stood in the darkness lost in each other’s company.
    Fairground music played, and the colored lights illuminated his face and hair. Neither spoke. There was no need for words. Their eyes met, lips smiled, fingers entwined. Even their breathing was in tune. Liam slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.
    Turning her face to his, she saw the way the lights reflected in his eyes. His gaze held hers, her heart skipping a beat with the intensity of the emotions filling her. Did he feel the same way?
    Liam ran a finger along her jaw and inclined his head to hers, touching foreheads. “You’re beautiful. Especially when you smile.” His accent seemed deeper than usual.
    “Thank you. You’re not bad, yourself.” She could feel heat flooding her face and hoped he couldn’t see the blush.